Physical Computing with Picoboards

Electronic Components

• Picoboard: a microcontroller-based development board used for physical computing
• Breadboard: a platform for prototyping electronic circuits, consisting of rows and columns of interconnected sockets
• Jumper Wires: used to connect components on a breadboard
• LED (Light Emitting Diode): a component that emits light when an electric current passes through it
• Resistor: a component that reduces the voltage or current in a circuit
• Sensor: a component that detects and responds to environmental changes, such as light, sound, or motion
• Motor Driver: a component that regulates the speed and direction of a motor
• Power Supply: a component that provides electricity to a circuit
• Buttons: components that allow users to interact with a circuit
• Buzzers: components that produce sound when an electric current passes through them

Electricity and Frequency

• Electron Flow: the movement of electrons through a circuit, creating an electric current
• Voltage: the potential difference between two points in a circuit, measured in Volts (V)
• Typical Voltage Levels: 3.3V, 5V, 9V, 12V
• Frequency: the number of oscillations or cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz)

Picoboard Components

• GPIO Pins: General Purpose Input/Output pins that allow for input/output operations
• USB Connector: a connector that allows the Picoboard to connect to a computer
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): the brain of the Picoboard, executing instructions and performing calculations
• LED: a built-in light source used for debugging
• Debug Pins: pins used for debugging and troubleshooting
• GND Pins: Ground pins that provide a reference point for the circuit
• Power Pins: pins that provide power to the circuit

Microcontrollers

• Purposes: used in various applications, such as robotics, automation, and IoT devices
• Examples: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Picoboard

Micropython

• Library Modules: pre-built code libraries that provide functionality for specific tasks
• Functions: reusable blocks of code that perform specific tasks
• Loops: used to repeat a sequence of instructions
• Variables: store and manipulate data
• Inputs and Outputs: used to interact with the user and external devices

Breadboard Arrangement

• Rows and Columns: interconnected sockets on a breadboard
• Rails: long rows of sockets on a breadboard, used for power and ground connections
• Bars: short rows of sockets on a breadboard, used for component connections
• Pin to Breadboard Numbers: used to identify the correct pin connections on a diagram